The Girl Who Haunts My Dreams

He woke up screaming, sweat covering his body. He tried to catch his breath and could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He looked around the dorm. Luckily, he hadn’t woken anyone else up, except. . .

“What’s wrong, mate?” Ron asked. His eyes were almost closed and his voice was filled with the desire to go back to sleep.

“Bad dream,” Harry answered. “Just a bad dream.” It was a terrible dream but not the usual nightmare. This was the same dream he had had since Sirius died.

“Was she there again?” Ron asked. Harry nodded, knowing exactly who he meant. Since the beginning of the summer, Harry’s dreams had be filled with the image of a girl in a long white gown. Her hair was as black as night and her eyes as bright as emeralds. She was by far the most beautiful girl Harry had ever seen.

“I can’t seem to remember where I’ve seen her before,” Harry said, frustrated with his own forgetfulness.

“Maybe she reminds you of Cho. You said this girl was beautiful,” a now fully awake Ron replied.

Harry shook his head. “That’s not it. Cho isn’t beautiful like this girl. This girl, she has something different about her. Something very different about her.”

Ron shrugged. “Maybe you should just get some rest. Everything will be clear in the morning.”

“I suppose so. See you in the morning.” Harry placed his head back on his pillow and cautiously drifted into a sound sleep.

**~~**~~**

“Why have you come to me? Why are you haunting my dreams?” Harry was now standing in front of the girl. She stared back at him, her emerald eyes meeting his own. Her hair flowed gently in the soft breeze that filled the room.

“Why won’t you answer me?” Harry asked. “Please, tell me who you are!” She continued to stare back but slowly began to put her head down. Harry watched her as a great dark figure came from behind her. The figure stood in front of Harry, so close that he could smell it’s foul odor. It began to remove the cape that covered it’s head and body to reveal Lord Voldemort.

“You! Why have you come? What could you possible take from me now?” Harry screamed but, like the girl, Voldemort didn’t answer. He turned his back towards Harry and placed his hand on the girl’s shoulder. Harry jumped in fear.

“Don’t you dare take her,” he said but it was no use. Voldemort ushered the girl into the darkness to a place beyond Harry’s vision. “No! No, please. Don’t take her. Let her be. I’m the one you want. Why take one more person when you can take me? NOOOOOOOO!”

**~~**~~**

Harry woke up again, though he didn’t scream. It was two thirty in the morning, only a half an hour had gone by since he had woken up the first time. This time, Ron stayed fast asleep and did not even flinch when Harry left his bed. He quietly went down to the Common Room. He sat down on the couch and placed his face in his hands.

“What am I going to do?” he asked himself. “Someone must know what it means, who that girl is. I can’t be the only one who remembers her!” Then, he suddenly remembered Remus. If the girl was a student of his in the past, he may remember her as well. Harry pulled out a piece of parchment and began to write.

Dear Remus,

I’m sorry for writing this letter so early in the morning but I need your help. Since the beginning of the summer holidays, I’ve been having these terrible dreams about a young girl and Voldemort. The girl seems to be about my age and has long black hair and green eyes. I know that I’ve seen her somewhere before but no one I’ve spoken to can remember her. I was wondering if maybe you remember. Please write back as quickly as possible. I don’t know if I can spend another night like this.

-Harry

Harry dashed back up to dorm and grabbed his invisibility cloak. He pulled it on and run off to the Owlery. He soon reached the Owlery and tried to find Hedwig in the dark of early morning. Once he found her, he tied the letter to her leg, wished her a safe flight and let her go. As he watched her fly away, he wished that the girl could do the same, fly away from him and his dreams and leave him be. He continued to watch Hedwig until the darkness became too thick for him to see the outline of her feathered body.

**~~**~~**

“Morning already?” Harry asked, turning towards Ron. “Ron, are you awake yet?” he asked but with no reply. He opened his eyes to see that he had fallen asleep underneath the window in the Owlery. Luckily, it was Saturday and most everyone at Hogwarts slept in, including teachers.

He slowly and quietly made his way back to the Common Room. He entered the room and sat down on the floor in front of the fireplace, pulling his legs up to his chest.

“Please Remus,” he began to plead with the silence. “Please help me.”

“May I be of some help?” a girl’s voice asked. Harry turned around to see Hermione staring lovingly at him.

“Morning Mione,” he answered. She walked over to him and sat down beside him.

“Something’s wrong, isn’t there?” she asked, putting her arm around Harry and rubbing his shoulder. Harry nodded. “The dream again? With the girl?” Harry nodded once more.

“It was different this time. Much different. Voldemort was there.”

“Voldemort! Why?”

“I’m not sure. She came so close to me and then he appeared and pushed her away from me.” Harry stopped for a moment, remembering the look on the girl’s face. “What can it mean?”

“I don’t know. Did you tell Ron?” Hermione asked.

“I did the first time. The second was when Voldemort appeared. Ron didn’t wake up then.”

Hermione tilted her head at Harry. “I’m sure we’ll figure this out.” She stopped for a moment and remembered Harry’s plea as she came into the room. “Why were you asking for Remus’s help?”

“Remember how I told you I knew that girl from somewhere but I couldn’t remember where?” Hermione nodded. “Well, I thought that maybe if she was a past student of his, he could tell me who she is.”

“I understand. He’s bound to remember her,” Hermione’s calm voice replied.

“I hope so,” Harry said.

“Everything will turn out all right.” With that, Hermione placed a small kiss on Harry’s head and began to walk out of the room. Suddenly, Hedwig flew in threw an open window. Hermione stopped and turned towards Harry as Hedwig placed a small letter in Harry’s lap. Hermione ran back to his side as he quickly opened the letter.

“It’s from Remus!” Harry exclaimed.

“Good news or bad news?” Hermione asked.

“I don’t know. Let me read the letter.” He slowly and carefully began to read the letter, hoping that this was the key to his dream.

Dear Harry,

No need to be sorry for writing so early. This is a problem that needs attending to. These dreams of yours seem to be ones of epic proportions. I do, however, remember a girl who fit that exact description but was never a Hogwarts student. I cannot explain this to you in a letter and Professor Dumbledore wishes me to tell you in person. Please come to Order headquarters today. This is very important.

-Remus

Harry stared at the letter, becoming even more worried than he was before. Hermione stared at Harry, wishing he would tell her what was in the letter that had him so speechless.

“Harry, what is it? What did he say?” she finally asked.

“He wants me to go and see him. He said he can’t tell me who the girl is in a letter but would rather do it in person.” The confusion in Harry’s voice made it clear to Hermione that she had to go with him for moral support but she decided to ask him anyway.

“Would you like me to come with you?” she asked.

Harry nodded. “I want to go now. I want to find out who this girl is as soon as possible. Go upstairs and get ready. Don’t bother waking Ron, let him sleep in. I’ll write a quick letter to Reamus telling him we’ll be over soon and then get ready.” Hermione nodded and went upstairs. Harry pulled out a piece of parchment and answered Remus’s letter.

Dear Remus,

Thank you very much for your help. Hermione and I will be over in about an hour.

-Harry

Hedwig, who had stayed in the room the whole time, flew over to Harry. He tied the letter to her leg and sent her away. He raced upstairs and got washed and dressed. Soon, he would have the answers to his questions.

**~~**~~**

About ten minutes later, Harry went back down to the Common Room and found Hermione waiting for him. She smiled at him, making him realize how lucky he was to have her in his life. She had been through everything with him and never complained about any of it. She was an angel to Harry.

“Are you ready?” he asked her.

She nodded. “Ready when you are. Floo powder this morning?”

He laughed. “Only way we know how to travel.” They went over to the fireplace and each grabbed a handful of powder. “Ladies first.”

Hermione stepped into the fireplace and clearly said “Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place.” With that, she disappeared into the flames. Harry stepped in next and, saying the same words Hermione had, disappeared into the flames as well.

**~~**~~**

Traveling by Floo Powder was not Harry’s favorite way to travel but it got him where he was going fast. He came out of the fireplace and face to face with Remus. He smiled at Harry.

“Good to see you again, Harry,” he said, pulling Harry to his feet. Harry dusted himself off and looked around the room.

“Good to see you too, Remus. Where’s Hermione?”

“She’s in the kitchen with Mrs. Weasley and Tonks.” He stopped and his face fell. “I must tell you something. Come into the kitchen.”

He followed Remus into the kitchen and was warmly greeted by Mrs. Weasley and Tonks, who both hugged and kissed him. He sat down next to Hermione and stared at Remus.

“Well, what is it? What do you need to tell me?” he asked.

Remus took a deep breath. “I did know the girl that was in your dreams. For that matter, we all did.” Mrs. Weasley and Tonks nodded. “She was a beautiful baby who had so much to live for. She adored her parents and. . .” he paused for a moment “her brother.” Mrs. Weasley then began to cry as Tonks put a loving arm around her. Harry looked at them and wondered if this was all bad news.

“Has the girl died?” Harry asked.

Remus nodded. “Yes, Harry. She died along time ago, about sixteen years ago.” Reamus gulped hard and turned away from Harry. “It was the same night we lost your parents.”

“Did Voldemort kill her?” Harry asked, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

“Yes, Voldemort did kill her. She was only a baby when she was killed. She would be your age if she was still alive.”

Harry jumped up out of his chair. “I understand now. The girl in my dreams is that girl, who was killed when she was a baby by Voldemort. That’s why he was in the dream.” He paused for a moment and turned to Remus. “Am I right?”

“In many cases, you are. But there is something much more important that you need to know,” Remus answered.

“Well, what is it?”

“That girl wasn’t just some baby that Voldemort killed, he had a reason to kill her. He was told that a baby would grow up and become more powerful than him. That thought scared him so he went out looking for this baby. Now, of course, we know it was you but at the time we weren’t sure if it was you or her. Voldemort killed her parents and then killed her.”

“This must have been before Voldemort killed my parents and tried to kill me then. He lost his powers when he tried to kill me.”

“No, Harry. It was the same time that Voldemort killed your parents.” Harry looked confused and Remus continued. “Harry, you’ve lived your whole life with secrets. Secrets of being a wizard, secrets of how your parents died, secrets of how you must destroy Voldemort before he destroys you. I understand it can be difficult but one more secret must come out.” He stopped for a moment but Harry cut him off.

“Remus, please just tell me who she is,” he said.

“Harry, you grew thinking that you were an only child but that was a lie. Harry, the girl who has been haunting your dreams is the girl whom Voldemort killed. That girl was your twin sister.”

**~~**~~**

Harry sat alone in the attic, remembering all the good times he had spent with Sirius up there. Remus was right, his life had become about secrets and lies. One more came up to the surface only moments before. He had a sister, a twin even. So many thoughts ran through his head. Why hadn’t anyone told him before? Why didn’t anyone who knew the story of “the famous Harry Potter” know this one important detail? Why was everything always happening to him?

Footsteps startled Harry and he turned around to see Hermione. She smiled at him but her smile that could warm his heart on the coldest of days seemed to be fading. Even she was asking why. She walked over to him and sat down beside him. He reached out and held her hand.

“Harry, Remus really would like to explain something to you,” she said, trying to talk him into reason. Harry wouldn’t hear it.

“So he can tell me about more family members who have died because of me? No thank you,” he said. With her other hand, Hermione began to rub Harry’s shoulder.

“Listen to him. He wants to explain. You need to hear him out.”

“Please Harry. It’s what your parents would have wanted.” It was Remus standing in the doorway. He walked over to the two friends and laughed. “You two remind me of me and Lily. She did the same thing when I was in need.” Hermione smiled and began to leave but Harry didn’t let go of her hand. It was obvious that he didn’t want her to leave.

“Harry, may I please explain something to you?” Remus asked. Harry nodded and gestured for him to sit down. He sat down in front of them and took a deep breath. “When your parents and sister died, Professor Dumbledore thought it would be better for you to not know about your sister. He, himself, has a twin sister and the bond that they share is so great that he knew that once you began your training and learned about who you are, the boy who lived, that you would want to seek revenge on Voldemort instead of fighting him for the right cases.”

This was quite true. Harry did want to seek revenge on Voldemort for killing so many people who loved him. His parents, Sirius and now his sister.

“Wouldn’t you want to seek revenge if someone did that to your family?” Harry asked Remus. Remus nodded.

“Of course but you have been fighting so well. You will save our world, Harry. You know that. You have the power to. It was Dumbledore’s idea to not tell you and it was much better that way. Now, that she has come to you in your dreams, it is a sign.”

“Did you place a curse on her after she died to make her grow up as a spirit?” Hermione asked. Remus nodded.

“Very good, Hermione. I did indeed. I knew that she would watch over you, Harry, and I wanted her to feel as if she was still with her brother. I did this all for you and your sister. Please, forgive me for not telling you.”

Harry stared into space, still stunned at the fact that he had a twin sister. His head was telling him not to forgive Remus but his heart was telling him something different. “Of course, I forgive you. How could I not? You’re pretty much the only family I have now,” Harry said. Remus smiled and hugged Harry.

“I think you two should get back to school. I’ll Owl Dumbledore and tell him everything.” Harry and Hermione nodded and began to leave the room. “Oh, Harry. Can I speak with you privately for a moment?”

“Of course,” Harry said and turned towards Hermione. “I’ll be out in a minute.” She nodded and left the room. Harry turned towards Remus, wondering what else he didn’t know about his own life. “What’s wrong?”

Remus began to laugh. “Don’t you dare let her go!”

Harry looked at Remus in utter confusion. “What are you talking about?” “I’m talking about Hermione. Don’t let her get away, Harry. Those kinds of girls are one in a million. I should know, I was best friends with one.”

Harry smiled. “My mother?” Remus nodded.

“You better get back to school. Wouldn’t want our Mr. Weasley to get worried, now would we?”

“Of course!” Harry began to laugh. “Knowing Ron, he probably isn’t even awake yet!” He began walking towards the door and turned around.

“Thank you, Remus. Thank you for everything.”

**~~**~~**

Harry sat alone in the Common Room. Night had fallen and all had gone to bed. He sat there, reflecting on the events of the day. He began to laugh, remembering how Ron was panic stricken when he woke up and couldn’t find Harry or Hermione. Dumbledore calmed Ron down, telling him that his friends were perfectly fine and would soon be home. He remembered the awe on Ron’s face when he spoke about his twin sister and her death.

His sister. His twin sister. No wonder she looked so familiar to him. Her long black hair resembled his own and both children received their mother’s bright green eyes. He began to try to remember his life as a baby, before his parents and sister died. He tried to remember what his sister looked like when they were just children but he could not. It was probably better that way.

Unfortunately, with all the commotion of telling Harry that he was a twin and the girl in his dreams was his sister, Reamus had forgotten to tell Harry what her name was. Harry wondered about what his parents had named their daughter. Something common, like his name? Or, perhaps, something original? He didn’t think he would ever know.

He laid back on the couch and closed his eyes. Suddenly, the window flew open and a cold gust of air swirled around the room. Harry ran to the window and quickly closed it.

“Merlin, it’s cold!” he said to himself and turned back towards the couch. He stopped and saw a sight he didn’t think possible. There she was, sitting on the arm of the couch. Her long black hair was slightly curled and her green eyes were as bright as ever. She smiled at Harry.

“Are you my twin sister?” he asked her.

“I am,” she said. Her voice was that of an angel. Her accent so crisp and clear. Harry knew that must have been how his mother sounded.

“You have finally found your voice,” Harry told her. “Why did it take you so long?”

“I didn’t feel right talking to you in a dream. In person is much better,” she replied as she began to walk towards Harry.

“So, I’m not dreaming? I’m fully awake?”

“Yes. I can appear to you whenever I want. I thought dreams would be the better choice at first. Now, I see that only haunted you.” She stopped for a moment. “I am truly sorry, Harry.”

“Don’t be. Please, don’t be.” He took her hands in his. “I have so many questions to ask you.”

“Ask away! You need to know the truth.”

Harry nodded. “The truth is something that has never come easy to me!” He laughed and, for the first time, heard the beautiful laugh of his sister. “First of all, what is your name?”

“My name is Juliet,” she replied.

“Why did you appear to me?”

“Since my death, I’ve be watching over you. I’ve made sure that you are safe and away from harm. I’ve provided only the best for you. I tried to be a good sister and a good twin even in death. I decided that it was time for you to know that I was here so I appeared to you in your dreams. And now, that you know who I am, I wanted to see you in person.”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me about you?”

“I wanted it that way. Professor Dumbledore wanted it that way as well. He thought it would be better.”

“Are you my guardian angel?”

“Yes, Harry. I am.”

Harry stood there in amazement. He stared into the face of his sister and saw his own reflection. His questions had been answered and now, he wanted the world to know that his sister was with him. She smiled at him and threw her arms around him. He held her for what seemed like forever, never wanted to let the one piece of family he had go. They parted and began to laugh.

“You’ve missed out on so much,” Harry told Juliet. “Hogwarts, Quidditch, my friends. Oh, you have to meet my friends. They’re absolutely wonderful.” Harry took Juliet’s hands and began to drag her to the stairs that lead to the dormitories. He was like a young child on Christmas morning with a new toy. Juliet began to laugh.

“You have to meet them. Ron and Hermione are my best friends. They’re always there for me and fight with me even if they’re afraid. I’ve been truly blessed with them.”

“I know your friends and their attributes. Why do you think I sent them to you?” Juliet asked.

“You sent them to me?” Harry asked his twin. Juliet nodded. “Why?”

“I knew they were good people who would love you the same way I do. And they do. Ron has a heart of gold and Hermione brings both of you to life. I knew that they were the ones.” A cunning smile spread across Juliet’s face. “There is also another reason I sent Hermione.”

Harry stared at Juliet in confusion. “What’s the other reason?”

“Can you think of nothing? Think back to what Remus told you.”

“Well, Remus told me to not let Hermione get away but what. . .” Juliet’s laughter cut Harry short. “You sent her to me for a romantic reason, didn’t you?”

“I knew you had to have someone who made you feel loved in a different sort of way. The way Mum made Dad feel. You feel it now, though you do not know it. The way you feel when she smiles and looks at you, that’s the kind of love I could never give to you. She was the one.”

Suddenly, the window blew open again and the same wind swirled around Juliet. She looked to the window and Harry went to close it. She stopped him. “No, don’t. It’s the sign for me to leave you.”

“WHAT! No, you can’t. You can’t leave me. Please, don’t leave me!” Harry pleaded but it was no use. Juliet had to leave.

“Remember everything I’ve said. Remember that we’re all so proud of you, Harry. Mum, Dad and even Sirius. All of us,” Juliet said. She began to walk towards the window but turned around and faced her brother. Tears were streaming down his face and soon began in her eyes as well. She ran to him and jumped into his arms.

“Please, Juliet, don’t leave me alone,” he whispered in her ear.

“You will never be alone. I’ve sent everyone you have so you will never be alone,” she whispered back. The wind began to blow even harder and Juliet parted from her brother. “I must go.”

Harry nodded. “I love you, Juliet.”

“I love you too, Harry.” She kissed his head and walked towards the window. Harry ran to the window and looked out but no one was there. She had disappeared. He smiled, thinking about the experience he had just had.

“Harry?” a voice asked. It was Hermione, with Ron by her side.

“Hi guys,” he said. He looked at Hermione and smiled. If Juliet sent her to love him, then he would let her do just that. Deep down in his heart, he did love Hermione.

“Who were you talking to?” Ron asked.

Harry looked out the window and smiled. “Oh, just Juliet.”